he thought of that appallingly swift schedule.

"All right," said Chase. "I'll hold the offer open at that figure
for forty-eight hours. I think you'll come to it."

"I doubt it," responded Johnny, smiling; but he was afraid he would.

In less than an hour he received an unexpected call from Mrs. Guff,
who was in such secret agitation that she quivered like jelly
whenever she breathed.

"Mr. Guff and myself have decided to take Miss Purry's river-view
property off your hands, Mr. Gamble," was the glad tidings she
conveyed to him, smiling to share his delight. "We can't think of
letting that river view slip by us."

"I'm glad to hear it," he announced with gratification, as he
thought of Mr. Chase. "Have you secured the consent of your partners
in the option to waive the apartment-house requirements?"

"Oh, no!" she ejaculated, shocked that any one should think that
possible. "We have decided to build the apartment-house and to live
there."

"To live there!" he repeated, remembering the elaborate Guff
residence.

"Yes, indeed!" she enthusiastically exclaimed. "You know the
property slopes down to the river beautifully, and exquisite,
private, terraced gardens could be built there. We could take the